The Barley Room is a watering hole in the far Northeast Heights that fills patrons up with live music, lots of libations and a surprisingly ample menu. Snack on bar-friendly fried things (say yes to the sweet potato fries!), or have a proper meal with burgers, salads, pasta, New Mexican dishes, and a few grilled meat and fish entrées. There’s a palpable sports bar feel to the place, but a diverse clientele keeps this bar/grill comfortable for just about everyone. The kitchen stays open until midnight every night; go ahead and linger.

A New Mexico tradition since 1952! For a quick, award-winning burger or chili dog, fresh fries and fountain favorites that hit the spot for just a pocketful of change, it’s got to be Blake’s. Countless counters are scattered throughout the city, and each one is a model of efficiency and cleanliness. Why look any further?

A New Mexico tradition since 1952! For a quick, award-winning burger or chili dog, fresh fries and fountain favorites that hit the spot for just a pocketful of change, it’s got to be Blake’s. Countless counters are scattered throughout the city, and each one is a model of efficiency and cleanliness. Why look any further?

Home of the Ranchero burger and a screamin’ $2 Frito pie, these burgers are similar to their Lotaburger or Its-a-Burger cousins, except they have loads of green or red chile on them. And Bob's offers taco burgers which are burgers in taco shells instead of buns. Bob is quite the creative entrepreneur; it shows on the chile-stained faces of his fanatic followers.

There’s not a whole heck of a lot to eat this far north in the city, so Far Northeast Heights dwellers are happy this clean, reliable Chinese joint set up in their neck of the woods. Serene earth tones and tasteful lighting set the mood. On the table, sesame chicken displays perfectly fried breading that’s crisp without being greasy and is generously sauced with sweet and savory soy notes. Wash those heavier fried foods down with a light, crisp Chinese beer.

Everyone loves good, old-fashioned barbecue, and you’ll find heaps of it at the County Line. It has everything you could want: sweet corn on the cob, coleslaw, brown-sugar beans, you name it. Oh, and meat, meat, meat. The baby back ribs are especially good, as is the homemade hickory barbecue sauce. Wash it down with a pint and phenomenal city views, and you’ll be feeling right at home on the range.

Aside from winning past Best of Burque Restaurant polls for “Best Pizza,” Dion's also has a wonderful selection of salads (particularly the Greek or any of the “gourmet” salads with fresh greens) and sandwiches (the pastrami is especially good). The pizza is made fresh and you can see them rolling and tossing the dough. Dine in or order takeout.

Aside from winning past Best of Burque Restaurant polls for “Best Pizza,” Dion's also has a wonderful selection of salads (particularly the Greek or any of the “gourmet” salads with fresh greens) and sandwiches (the pastrami is especially good). The pizza is made fresh and you can see them rolling and tossing the dough. Dine in or order takeout.

The browned, freshly ground turkey burger is a total masterstroke, one that explodes in the mouth and hits a high-water mark for juiciness. It’s not all burgers, either: The full-sized salads practically come in boats here, and the beer is local.

Sure, you go in thinking you’ll be good and get a skinny latte, scrambled egg whites, and a side of turkey and green chile sausage, but five minutes later somebody’s saying “apple pie with ice cream” and the voice is coming from your mouth. Give in. It tastes good.

Sure, you go in thinking you’ll be good and get a skinny latte, scrambled egg whites and a side of turkey and green chile sausage, but five minutes later somebody’s saying “apple pie with ice cream” and the voice is coming from your mouth. Give in. It tastes good.

Gecko’s expanded with a popular Northeast Heights location that’s housed in a building that looks like a jukebox, for some reason. Even though it’s clear across town, you’ll still probably bump into folks you know as you’re sipping a wicked Bloody Mary and enjoying tidbits from the affordably priced tapas menu.

Il Vicino’s thin-crusted, gourmet-topped pizzas are perennial favorites among readers, but the house-brewed beers are equally popular. Order at the register and a server brings the food to your table, making weekday lunches speedy. The open kitchen gives you something to stare at while you wait. Stop in for a quick lunch or a late afternoon microbrew at one of the patio tables.

Jade is 90 percent identical to any of the dozens of Chinese restaurants in town, but come for that other 10 percent--the little things Jade does better than all the rest. Take the barbecued spare ribs for example. At Jade, the barbecue sauce is sharper, spicier and with a hint of cherry flavor, and it’s just the first in a series of pleasant little surprises. The wonton soup tastes like it came from a stock and not just an overly salted broth. The sesame chicken is breaded Japanese-style instead of being heavily battered, and the duck is served in fat little chunks which are tender and pan-fried with the skin still on.

This Asian-American eatery has a reputation for retro Pacific Rim decor and the clink of drinks with little umbrellas in them. If you're in the mood for East-meets-West fare like lettuce wraps, orange peel beef or Tokyo crispy tofu, then load up the Prius and take a drive down Paseo del Norte. You’ll also find a large selection of fine loose teas and more liquor than you can shake a limbo stick at. Have a yen for wine? Here it comes in white, red and plum.

Since we’re long past the point when sushi was considered too exotic for New Mexico, it’s time to start paying attention to other fine Japanese favorites like tempura, hibachi-grilled meats and seafood, teriyaki without the La Choy, and the beauty of udon noodles. Mr. Tokyo is modestly sized, moderately priced and an excellent place for a quick, relaxing lunch or a quiet dinner with friends and family.

This is Greek food that’s elegant, straightforward and absolutely delicious. White tile and recessed blue light create an island oasis that’s suggested rather than spelled out (no 8-foot murals here), and the service is friendly and attentive. The lentil soup is seasoned with just a whisper of aged balsamic vinegar, perfect with a toasty triangle of imported pita bread and a light Greek salad.

We're pretty sure if you take any food and stuff it with cheese, dip it in batter and deep-fry the sucker until it's crunchy and golden-brown, it's going to be good. But try the relleno at Papa Nachos—you’ll taste art. While you’re at it, try the unique green chile sauce (which happens to be excellent on turkey) or any of the burritos wrapped in fresh, tender tortillas.

Rough-hewn wood planks lead you into this nautically-themed steak and seafood restaurant, which doesn’t start seating for dinner until 5pm. Luckily, happy hour begins at 4pm. Have a Lady Godiva hot cocktail and a baker's dozen of topless oysters in the bar while you wait. Then dive into creamy clam chowder, butter-sweet Australian lobster tail and Ranchero center-cut top sirloin. There's plenty of key lime pie in the icebox and Phil Collins on the speakers.